GWS gives Collingwood a scare

HOW THE MATCH WAS WONThe opening salvo felt a little like an undercard bout, with Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton, Dustin Fletcher and Michael Hurley missing for the Bombers, and Dean Cox, Adam Selwood, Andrew Gaff and Luke Shuey unseen for the Eagles. Sadly for the AFL in general, Mark LeCras’ absence is more permanent — but two men put up a hand as potential replacements, with early goals from the impressive Gerrick Weedon and Ashton Hams. Weedon’s presence was irrepressible in the first 20 minutes, with Henry Slattery the unfortunate victim. Five first half goals to one for the Eagles was based around their refusal to allow time or space, and the dominance continued to result in the NAB Cup’s highest score so far.

THE EYE CATCHERS: WEST COAST

Gerrick Weedon

Great early chase and tackle on Anthony Long echoed David Wirrpanda, the former star whose number he now possesses.

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Slotting the goal from the tight pocket provided he and the Eagles with the perfect start.

Ashton Hams

In any other year, Hams would have got more chances in 2011, but with coach John Worsfold loathe to break a winning formula he had to wait his turn. Mark LeCras' cruel injury opens a spot in the Eagles forward line, and Hams did his chances no harm with two goals and the competitive presence valued by the Eagles coach.

Josh Hill

With little room for gut instinct or gamble in the modern business that is the AFL, the recruitment of the former Bulldog by the Eagles may be seen as a shot in the dark.

Hill's pace on the wide open spaces in Perth could be a wildcard in 2012, and his goal threat was evident with a late major - but he will have to find more of the ball, and more of his opponent, to become a real force.

Mark Nicoski

Among the hoopla of the Eagles 2011, Nicoski was somewhat of a forgotten story, given his career-threatening shoulder injuries turned into a 40-goal season. Showed his worth with his backline experience being used to marshall the forward press that epitomised the Eagles' improvement.

Luke Shuey looks to give off a handball. Photo: Getty Images

THE EYE CATCHERS: ESSENDON

Courtenay Dempsey

His knee issues hopefully behind him, the West Australian gently felt his way back into senior football, with an early marking job on a famous Eagles name in Jacob Brennan. A crunching tackle on Nicoski illustrated his desire to be back in the contest after such a frustrating absence.

Travis Colyer

The only bright spark in the Bombers' first 20 minutes of competitive action for 2012, using his pace to find space, and kicking a silky goal.

Elliott Kavanagh

Recruited from the Western Jets, Kavanagh was considered one of the most talented - but also most hamstrung - of the class of 2011. The No.19 pick traversed an injury-free pre-season and showed some nice early signs.

Cory Dell'Olio

A great name and a great start. Denied one goal by the errant eye of a goal umpire, who did not spot the ball deflect off his shin rather than his knee, he was rewarded with a late major.

A goal sneak from the west, there were indications of a goal sense that one is born with, not taught.

Stewart Crameri

One of the finds of 2011, and his combination of attacking threat and hard-nosed play endeared him hugely to Bombers fans and the competition in general.

Two goals did not affect the game, but showed again how he will be one of the reasons for improvement at the Bombers in 2012.

Game 2: Fremantle 1.7.5 (56) d. Essendon 0.3.2 (20)

HOW THE MATCH WAS WONRoss Lyon in purple, Peter Sumich in purple, Roger Hayden in the coaching box, Matthew Pavlich in the forward line — things certainly have changed at Fremantle. The Bombers also rang the changes for their second game with Stewart Crameri, Anthony Long and Courtenay Dempsey all sitting out. Nick Suban’s supergoal on the siren blew out the half-time lead, and with the Dockers utilising Aaron Sandilands’ power to dominate the clearances, the Bombers bowed out with two heavy losses. Leroy Jetta’s win on points after a scuffle with Josh Mellington was one of the Bombers’ few positives on the night.

THE EYE CATCHERS: FREMANTLE

Lachie Neale

Pick 58 in the draft, a midfielder standing 177 centimetres, and seven games with Glenelg in the SANFL - not exactly the CV of a potential star. But after the early whispers coming out of Fremantle, and the early signs in his first official outing, Lachie Neale can play - and will play this season.

Neale arrived with a reputation akin to Michael Barlow - not flashy, but a ball magnet, with an average of 31 touches at SANFL under-18 level.

Beautiful skills set up the Dockers' first goal, and he scored the second himself with an innate sense of where the ball was going to be and where the goals are. Dream Team coaches be warned.

Hayden Ballantyne

The master of the forward niggle is aiming to reinvent himself in the midfield this season, as Matthew Pavlich is employed back in his natural habitat inside 50m.

His natural enthusiasm will find him plenty of the ball, but the initial report card should tell the goalsneak to use it a little more wisely - although smart decisions in the heat of battle have not always been Ballantyne's strength.

Stephen Hill

The Dockers' season in 2011 was summed up by the slump of Stephen Hill, who lost the spark that makes him special.

Ross Lyon's attempted use of Hill's searing acceleration at stoppages was a sign he intends to put one of his most dangerous weapons where he could cause most damage.

THE EYE CATCHERS: ESSENDON

Michael Hibberd

2011 was a year to forget for Michael Hibberd, even though he made his AFL debut for the Bombers.

Nine games into his career, the youngster was banned indefinitely after a violent altercation outside a nightclub.

A suspension for the season was the ultimate lesson - and on this evidence one he has learnt well. Topping the possession charts in the first game against West Coast, the Fothergill-Round Medal winner carried on in the same vein in game two.

He was one shining light in a midfield outshone by the power and influence of Aaron Sandilands.

Patrick Ryder

He caught the eye for the wrong reasons, unable to influence the ruck contests he was involved in, and also not able to find the ball.

Just three disposals and four hitouts in the first clash against the Eagles did not improve against the other WA side. Coach James Hird will be hoping for a huge improvement when the real stuff starts.

Cory Dell'Olio

As he did in the first game, Dell'Olio put up his hand for one of the two spots open on Essendon's list courtesy of the long-term injury list. He looked alive every time the ball went near him, and kicked another goal.

Game 3: West Coast 0.4.6 (30) d. Fremantle 0.1.4 (10)

Twin wins for West Coast

THE Eagles, still dealing with the loss of star forward Mark LeCras for the season, were the big winners of the third night of the NAB Cup, cruising to two victories over Essendon and Fremantle.

West Coast beat the Bombers by 21 points then triumphed over the Dockers by 20 points in front of 27,581 fans at Patersons Stadium.

Essendon, meanwhile, also copped a 36-point hiding at the hands of Fremantle.

It was West Coast's small forwards who did the damage against Essendon in game one, with mid-sized forward Gerrick Weedon and 174-centimetre speedster Ashton Hams combining for four goals to help lift the Eagles to the 0.9.3 (57) to 0.5.6 (36) victory.

Former Bulldogs forward Josh Hill, playing through the midfield and up forward, was serviceable and kicked a late goal to push his case for a permanent spot in the Eagles' 22.

Impressive Fremantle youngster Lachie Neale put his hand up for the season proper, booting two goals in the Dockers' 1.7.5 (56) to 0.3.2 (20) triumph over Essendon.

The derby proved to be a tougher affair, with heavy collisions leaving Matt de Boer (ribs) and Jack Darling (head) nursing sore bodies.

Weedon kicked the only goal of the opening half, and Fremantle's struggle to break through West Coast's forward press continued after the break, with the Dockers kicking their only goal of the match in the final minute. The Eagles came home 0.4.6 (30) to 0.1.4 (10).